WEIRTON -- As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals heard variance requests from several city residents and businesses.
The board unanimously approved two variance requests from Sacred Heart of Mary, 200 Preston Ave., to allow for the installation of a new bell tower.
A representative of the church explained a 50-foot tower previously had been in place, but had to be torn down.
The church now wants to construct a 40-foot tower, to include three bells from their original church.
City regulations allow for a maximum height of 15 feet for an accessory structure.
The city's Unified Development Ordinance also requires an accessory structure in a R-1 zoned district to be located behind the principal structure.
A request to operate a bed and breakfast on Orchard Street was tabled, after concerns were raised about available parking.
Phillip Kim had requested a conditional use permit to operate a bed and breakfast at 3409 Orchard St. Kim explained the building is a duplex with a total of four bedrooms, and would be for short-term rental.
Ward 4 Councilman George Ash, as well as another resident, expressed concerns over parking availability for the property. Kaleb Knowlton, program manager for the city's Planning and Development Department, also noted Orchard Street requires permits for on-street residential parking.
Kensington Investment received approval for its variance request to allow a 32-square-foot wall sign at 3901 Brightway. Owner Jesse Kreig explained he was replacing an older wall sign from a previous business, adding his sign was smaller than the one which had been on the building.
Brian Knight, meanwhile, received only partial approval for his request for a sign variance at 3578 Pennsylvania Ave.
Knight explained his request would include a new wall sign of 3 feet by 24 feet, larger than one which had been located at the building, and a 10 feet by 10 feet sign on the garage door.
The board opted to approve only the wall sign, telling Knight the sign on the garage door would not be permitted.
The board agreed to a residential request from Derek VanDyke, 3800 Brightway, to permit a 12-feet front setback along Euclid Avenue. VanDyke explained his plans are to build a shelter in his yard.